Careers

About Us

The Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) works strategically and collaboratively to improve the lives of the people of Hertfordshire, by using the power of sport and physical activity to tackle inequality and disadvantage. Our Strategic Plan 2022-27 provides the framework for our work, and our Annual Impact Report highlights how we deliver our strategy in practice.

HSP Annual Impact Report 2024 - 2025

Watch our Impact Video here

Being active can be a fun, enjoyable and social experience; it can also bring enormous benefits for our health, wellbeing and happiness for individuals, communities and wider society. Encouragingly, across Hertfordshire, 60% of
adults and 48% of young people are active enough for it to benefit their health. However, we see distinct inequalities within different population groups and in different localities who find it harder to be active and reap the benefits of an active lifestyle.

The Partnership will ensure that we have a laser-like focus on identifying and addressing inequality and inactivity and optimising limited resources for the greatest impact. Further information about the insight driving our work
areas can be found on the HSP Physical Activity Story Map.

Established in 2003, we are based at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield and are one of 42 Active Partnerships across England, that are part funded by Sport England to deliver locally against their Uniting the Movement Strategy.

Known as HSP, the Partnership has a core team of full and part-time professionals, and we are involved in a wide range of exciting projects, campaigns and strategic influencing work to deliver against our objectives.

The HSP team works alongside numerous public, private and voluntary partners, bringing together expertise, resources and ideas from all parts of the sports, health and physical activity arena in Hertfordshire and beyond.

The Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) prides itself on setting and maintaining high standards across its business operations as the cornerstone of delivering a high performing organisation which is inclusive, innovative and impactful. Here are the standards and recognition schemes that we operate within:

• Tier 3 – UK Code for Sports Governance Compliance
• CPSU Safeguarding Standard and Anne Craft Trust Adult Safeguarding Standard – Met
• MODESHIFT Stars Business – Approved Travel Plan

HSP has also been recognised for:

• Winner - Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Inspiring Hertfordshire Award - Diversity and Inclusion
• University of Hertfordshire Vice Chancellor Awards Team of the Year – EDI Team Highly Commended

About The Role

HSP creates the conditions so that people in Hertfordshire can be active and reap the benefits of an active lifestyle. We work with local groups and partners to help More People, be More Active, More Often. We focus on supporting people and communities who find it hardest to get involved in sport and physical activity. Board members are volunteers who support us to achieve this.

We are looking for new Independent Board Members to join our Board who:

• Are well connected with local communities and organisations in Hertfordshire and understand what life is like for people who find it hard to get involved in sport and physical activity.
• Are committed to the valuable role that sport and physical activity can play to address a range of social issues.
• Value different experiences and ways of thinking, and who can bring diverse ideas, knowledge and skills to the Board.
• Can commit the time required to carry out the role well.

We especially want to hear from those who:

• Have skills, expertise, and influence from across the community, business, education, health, criminal justice and sports sectors.
• Understand the challenges faced by Hertfordshire's community sport and physical activity sector.
• Know about the things that make it hard to be active for people who are: disabled, living with a long-term health condition, from ethnically diverse communities or less wealthy areas.
• Understand the challenges to being active faced by groups such as women and girls, older adults and children and young people.

You can apply by writing an email with a word attachment to Davinia Thakkar d.thakkar2@herts.ac.uk Start your email by clearly saying you are applying to be a Board Member with the Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership and use 'Board Member for HSP' as the subject line. In the word document please explain:

• Why you would like to join the HSP Board.
• How you would use your skills and experience to help HSP to get More People, More Active, More Often.
• The strengths you have that would help you carry out the role of a Board Member.

Please also provide a short summary of any relevant work history over the last 10 years (include dates, organisations, and positions) and the names and contact details of two referees who know you well. Referees must not be closely related to you (e.g. family members or partners). Try to keep your word document to three pages or less and please remember to include your contact details.

The closing date for applications is 30th January 2026. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent

Further Information

Important Dates

• Closing date for applications - 30th January 2026.
• Suitable applicants invited for a discussion - no later than 13th February 2026.
• Discussion with representatives of the board, Partnership Director and team week commencing 23 February 2026.

More Information

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Adrian Ledbury, Strategic Lead Transformation, a.ledbury@herts.ac.uk 

Apply for role

Closing date: 30th January 2026